Trolley switch



April 12,1927. 1,624,011

J. JURUD DICK TROLLEY SWITCH Filed Feb. 16, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April12, 1927. 1,624,011

J. J. RUDDICK TROLLEY SWITCH Filed Feb. 16, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.6,F1 g 7.

\nvenToT.

John J. RuddicK BYMWKM Anya.

' 1,624,011 J. J. RUDDICK THOLLEY SWITCH April 12 a 1927.

Filed Feb. 16. 1923 4 Sheets- Sheet 4 h \nvenTor- John J. RuddicK b MWzM v Patented Apr. 12, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFIE.

JOHN J. RU'DDICK, OF WEST NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

TROLLEY Application filed February This invention relates to trolleyswitches such as are used in electric signalling systems for trolleycars for the purpose of setting the signal by the movement of thetrolley wheel along the trolley wire. The trolley switches which are nowcommonly used are in the nature of so-called contacters that is in thenature of devices that are adapted to be engaged by the trolley wheel asit passes along the trolley wire thereby closing the signalling circuitor circuit 0'1 a magnet which in turn controls the signal ling circuit.These contacters as heretofore used rely for their operation upon thephyz- 'ical contact of the trolley wheel or trolley harp or some othermoving part, with the contacting device in order to give theoperativemovement to the latter.

in my present invention I have provided a trolley switch in which thecircuit is closed by magnetic action solely and this is provided for byemploying a circuit-closing device which is magnetically responsive tothe magnetic attraction of a body (such as a trolley harp) moving pastthe circuit-clos ing device, such magnetic attraction resulting ingiving movement to a magneti tallysensitive device to cause the latterto close the circuit. In my invention, therefore, this closing of thecircuit is done by magneticv attraction and without any physical contactbetween the trolley wheel, trolley harp or other moving device and theelement to be actuated.

In order to give an understanding of the invention I have illustrated inthe drawings a selected embodiment thereof which will now he describedafter which the novel iezn turcs will be pointed out in the appendedclaims.

Fig. 1 is a side view oi an apparatus cmhodying n'iy invention, saidview showing the side thereoi which is adjacent the trolley wire; 7

Fig. 2 is a view of said apparatus illustrating the opposite side;

Figs. 3 and 4: are views showing the mannor of connecting the device toand supportingit on a trolley wire;

Fig. 5 is a. diagrammatic view illustrating the wiring oi? the device;

l ig. 6 is a fragmentary view showing the Fig. '7 is a view showing theopposite side oi said housing;

SWIT CH.

18, 1923. Serial No. 619,497.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view thereof;

l ig. 9 is a bottom plan view;

liig. 10 is a section on the line l0-10,

Fig. 7; Fig. 11 is a section on the line 1111, Fi 7 1 1g 12 1s airagmentary view showing As stated above my invention comprehends amagnetically-sensitive circuit-closing member which is responsive to themagnetic att'action of a trolley harp passing adjacent thereto to closea circuit of a relay :inagnet which when energized operates to close thesignalling circuit.

in Fig. 5 I have illustrated diagrannnath cally some of the essentialelements of the device and before describing in detail the embodimentoi? the invention illustrated in 1 and 2 I will refer briefly to thisdiagranunatic view. in said Fig. 5 1 in dicatcs the trolley wire and 2indi rates the signalling circuit. This circuit is normally open and isprovided with the two contacts 3 and l the contact a being carried bythe armature 5 of a magnet Geo that when the magnet 6 is energized andthe armature 5 is attracted thereby the contact 4 is closed against the.contact 3 thereby closing the signalling circuit 2.

The winding oi the magnet (i is in it normally-open circuit which hastherein a magneti(rally-sensitive circuit-closing member that adapted tohe moved into position to close the circuit by the magnetic attractionoi a troiley harp passing along the trolley wire 1. Such a nicnctically-sensitive member is illustrated at 7 in l ig. 5 as in the formof magnetic needle or pin which is suspended from its upper end and thelower end of which is capable of being moved by the magnetic attractionoi a trolicy harp it? as it passes aiong the wire 1 adacent the member7.

This member '5' is electrically connected to the trolley wire, suchelectrical connection being shown dir 'ranunatically at 9 in Fig. 5 andsaid member 7 cooperates with a cow *means.

tact 8 which is connected to the magnet 6 by a wirecon'nection 10, saidonagn'et being in turn connected to the ground through a wire connection11, 12. The magneticallysensitive member '7'norma'lly occupies aposition out of engagement with the contact 8 so that under normalconditions the circuit through the magnet 6 is open. The device is soconstructed, however, that when a moving body, such as a trolley wheel,passes along the wire 1 in the directionof the arrow-there will beamagnetic attraction between the iron trolley harp and the meniber 7which will tlraw the latter into engagement with the contact 8 therebyclosing the circuit of the magnet "6 and energizing the latter. .Assoonas this magnet is energized the signalling circuit 2 is closed atthecontacts l3, lthu's setting the signal.

The magnetically-sensitive member 7 is magnetically supported and forthis purpose ll have provided a magnet comprising two coils 1311mmconnectedby the two bridge pieces for pole members :15 and 27. Thesecoils 13 and 14 are inshunt circuit lead-- ingitrom It'he trolley wire 1to the ground so that they are "constantly energized and they, togetherwith the pole "pieces and 27 lorm .an electromagnet which holds theneedle 7 suspended from the pole piece 15 by :magnetic attraction. inthe diagram the Winding 14. is connected to the trolley through the wireconnections 16 and the two windings are connected through the wireconnection 1''( while thecoil 13 is connected to the groundthrough thewireronncctions 18 and 12.

Referringnow to Figs. 1 and 2 the signalactuating magnet ti shown assupported in a iiran'ie 19 which is carried on the bridge piece 15connectingthe two=coils 13 and 1 1:,

the 'latter having their lower ends secured to ears 28 extending from aconnecting piece 27. The bridge 15, frame 19,=coils 13 and Handconnecting n'iember or guide 27 thus eonstitute a frame or supportonwhich "the operative parts of the device "are sustained. This frame orsupport is supported adjacent the trolley wire 1 by some suitable In theconstruction shown the bridge :member 15 is provided at its endswithcxtensions orears 20 which are secured to spacing arms Qlthat extendlaterallyand in "turn are secured to a shoe 22 situated above andconnected to the trolley wire 1. The arms 21 are provided withprojections 23 which are received in apertures formed in'yokes 2d, thelatter being supported from posts'or other supports 25 by means of guybe electrically connected to the trolley wire through the arms 21 andshocsQQ.

The current for the windings 13 and 1 t of the electromagnet is takenfrom the trolley wire 1tl'11'ouglithe frame and in the constructionshown in Figs. 1 and 2 the wind ing 1a is connected to the frame by aconnection 116, the latter being secured to the frame by a binding post99. The wire counection18which connects the winding 13 to thegroumlisshown in Figsv 1 and as leading to a binding post 98 on adplate tilwhich is secured to the insulating block 31, the ground wire being alsoconnected to this plate.

The wire 11 conncct'iing thc magnet U with the ground shown in Figs. 1and 2 as leading from said magnet to the binding post 98 and thus being(.Olll'lQt'lQtl to the ground through the plate 61.

The signal circuit wire 2 leads to a terminal 30 supported on a block 31of insulating material which i-J carried by the frame 19.

The contact 3 in the circuit. 2 carried by a swinging arm 91 which ispivoted at 32 on a plate 33 supporting the terminal ill). This armnormally heldagainst. a stop 34 by means of a spring 35. The contact armt mounted on a swinging arm 36 which is pivoted at 37 to a block 38carried by the frame it), said arm 2-36 supportiir the armature 5 forthe magnet ti. 'lhc op Il-luorimilly holds the arm til separated fromthe arm 3t? so that the contacts 2) and l are scparated. Since the arm30 is suspended, from the frame 15) which in turn is electricallyCUHlH-Kfttitl to the trolley wire 1 through the supporting arms .31 itt'ollimsthat win-never tho armature 5 lSllidl'ttt'ltHl by thc maguclrllthereby to swing the arm. iltiand bringthe contact into engagement: withthe contact- 3 a circuit will be established from thctroh lcy wirelthroughthc supporting .lrumeand arm 36, contacts 3 and 4t, arm 91..block 3 and signal wireQ to the signal mechanism.

Means are herein provided wherebywhen the magnet G is energized and thearn'iaturc 5 is attracted the contacts 3 and -l will be maintained incontact witheach other for a predetermined extent "of time thus ensur-.ing thatthe signalcircuit 2 will he closed long enough to etliect thesetting of the nal.

The armattire-carrying arm 36 is actcd on by a spring 39 which tends toretract; said arm and said arm has also connected thereto a retardingdevice arranged. so that it will retard the movement ollhc arm in bothdirections. Said arm 36 has a 'movcment considerably greater thani'lcccssary to bring thccontact t into migagcmeut with the contactS sothat when the magnet 6 is energized the initial movement of the arm 36will bring the contact etagainst the contact 3 and then the arm 36willhave a fur ther movement into the position shown in Fig. 12 and duringthis movement the arm 91 will be swung forwardly against the action ofthe spring 35. As soon as the circuit for the magnet 6 opened then thearms 91 and 36 will swing back to the posit-i011 shown in Fig. 2 throughthe action of the springs and 39. The retarding device referred tooperates to retard the movement of the arm 36 in both directions therebyprolonging the time that the contacts 3 and t are in engagement eventhough the magnet 6 is only momentarily energized.

This retarding device comprises a bar 411 carried by a shaft 41 which isformed with a pinion4t2 meshing with a gear 43 that is journalled in abracket or support 14-. This gear 43 is connected to the arm 36 by meansof a link 45 which is pivoted at one end to a crank pin 46 on the gear43 and is pivoted at the other end to the end oi? the arm 36 as shown at17. WVhen the arm 36 swings from the position shown in Fig. 2 to thatshown in Fig. 12 the gear 43 will be given a partial rotation thusrotating the shaft ll and the arm 40 which acts to retard the motion ofthe arm 36.

As soon as the magnet 6 is tie-energized then the springs return theparts to their initial position and during such return movement the bar410 acts also as a retarding agent thus causing a slower movement of thearms 91 and 36 than would naturally result from the action of thesprings 39 and 35. This device operates, therefore, to maintain thecontacts 3 and 4 in engagement for a period of time after the magnet 6is ale-energized thereby giving added time for the operation of thesignal.

The magnetically-sensitive element 7 by which the circuit for the magnet6 is closed is enclosed in a chamber 54 formed in a housing 48 of brassor some non-magnetic material and the housing is secured to a plate 190iinsulating material by means of a suitable screw 50 and it also hasassociated therewith a plate 51 of brass or other non-magnetic materialwhich is secured to thebridge member or pole piece 15. This pole piece15 carries a pin 53 of steel which extends through the plate 51 andthrough the. top of the housing 48. This pin 53, therefore, becomes partof the pole piece 15 and has a magnetic attraction for the member 7 sothat the member 7 will be suspended therefrom as illustrateddiagrammatically in Fig. 5. The magnetically-sea sitive element 7 is,therefore, supported by its magnetic attraction to the member and thisis suflicient'to hold said member 7 suspended from its upper end so thatthe lower end is free to be swung in diti'erentdirections.

Since the frame including the pole piece 15 is electrically connected tothe trolley wire through the arms 21 it follows that the member 7 willbe electrically connected to the trolley wire as indicated in Fig. 5,the electrical connection which is ilhistrated diagranimatically by thewire connection 9 in Fig. 5 being the supporting frame and the pin 53.

The contact 8 with which the pin T cooperates to close the circuit ofthe magnet 6 is located at the lower end of the housing 48 and issituated so that swinging movement of the member 7 in one direction willmove it into engagement with said contact 8. This contact 8 has aU-shaped form and is constituted by the end of a wire 56 which issupported in a block 55 of insulating material that is situated at thelower end of the housing 48, said block having an opening or recess 97therein in which the contact 8 is located. The lower end of themagnetically-sensitive member 7 also occupies this opening 97. Thecontact 8 is connected to the magnet 6 through the followingconnections. The wire connect-ion 56 extends through the insulatingblocl'c 55 and the end oi said wire connection is bent upwardly againstthe outside of the insulating plate 19. This insulating plat-e 4L9carries a binding post 58, the latter extending through the plate 19 andone end of said binding post has an arm 57 of conducting materialthereon which engages the end of the wire connection 56. This bindingpost is connected to the magnet 6 through a wire 59. In the diagrammaticview Fig. 5 the electrical connections 59, 58, 57, 56 leading to thecontact 8 are indicated diagrammatically at 10 while the electricalconnections between the members 7 and the trolley wire including theframe is indicateddiagrammatically at 9.

Said magnet is also connected by a wire 11 to a terminal plate 61 whichin turn is connected to the ground through a suitable wire connection12. When, therefore, the magnetically-sensitive element 7 is swung intoposition to engage the contact 8 then the circuit through the magnet 6will be closed, said circuit being as follows. From the trolley wirethrough the shoes 22 and arms 21 and frame of the apparatus includingthe bridge piece 15, thence through the pin 53 to the contact 7, contact3, wire 56, arm 57, binding post 58, wire 59, winding of magnet (5, wire11., terminal 61 and ground wire 12.

As stated above the magnetically-sensitive member 7 normally occupies aposition out of contact with the contact 8 and the construction is suchthat when a trolley harp passes said member 7 the magnetic attractionbetween the trolley harp and the member 'i will be suflicient to swingthe latter into contact with thecontaot 8 thereby'closing the circuitthrough the magnet 6, which willresultin setting the signal as abovedescribed;

In order to develop the proper magnetic attraction between the trolleyharp and the passes into the held of magnetic influence of saidelectro-n'iagnet said harp will. be magnetized and thus as it passes themember 7 it is in a magnetized state so that it has a strong attractionfort-he member 7 and will draw said. member 7 toward it.

The memberiis guided inits movement by a guide plate which is sitrlaiedat the lower endo'i the housing 4:8 and between the block 55. i Thisguide plate is provided with an opening 68 having the general shapeshown in Fig. let. Tlhisopening has one recess 69 in which the l()\\ti"(fitl oi the member 7 is normally received and it has at itsoppositeside another recess adjacent the contact 8. These recess areseparated by a reentrant pointed portion 71 which functions as a guideor deflector. The lower end of the magneticallymensitive needle isnormally retained toward the side of the opening havingthe recessestherein through; the magnetic attraction of a permanent magnet 72, whichis carried by a post secured to the bar 27. The normal position ot themagnetically-sensitivc element 7 is that illustrated in Figs. 9 and 14:,the lower end thereof occupying the recess (59. W hen a trolley wheelmoving along the trolley wire 1 passes the housing 48 in the directionof the arrows Figs, 9 and l the magnetic attraction between the trolleyharp and the element 7 will draw the element 7 laterally toward. thetrolley harp thus carrying it out of the re cess 69 and as the trolleyharp moves along in the direction of the arrow this magnet? callysensitive element 18 carried 111 said (ll rection over and beyond theprojection 71. lVhen the trolley harp passes so far away from theelement 7 as not to magnetically affect the latter then the lower endofthe element 7 will be drawn toward the permanent magnet 72 and willthen come into the pocket 70 and thus engage the contact 8 thus closingthe circuit of the magnet (3.

It will be understood, of course, that the magnetic attraction ofthemagnet 72 on the I have also herein provided means where by when then'iagnet (i is energized and the contacts 3 and at are closed suchmovement will automatically restore the element 7 from the position inwhich it was left by the passing trolley harp into its normal positionshown in Figs. 9 and 14. means (it a restoring member 74 pivoted at 75to a bracket 70 extending from the housing ib" Said restoring member 74has a curved arm 7T which operates in a slot 78 'l 'n'med in onawall ol'the housing 48. The

!'(;5Si1)l'l1l 5 member is nori'i'ially retained in its inoperativeposition shown m Figs. 9 and l l by means of a spring 79 and when insuch position it rests against the part 80 ol? the bracket rial. Thetail 81 oi the member 742 is, however, situated in the path ol themovement of the lower end ol. the lever 36 so that when the magnet ('8is energized and the lever 36 is moved forwardly the lower and will cugage the tail i151 and swing the member 7i. into the dotted lineposition l ig. ll then-by causing the curved arm 77 to act on the member7 and carry the latter out of the pocket To and over the point Tl andinto the pocket (39.

This mcchanismytheretore, provides means for autoniaticully restoringthe magneticallysensitive element 7 into its normal position as soon asthe magnet (3 has been energized by the shifting of said member intoengagement with the contact 8.

In. the construction herein shown the chamber 54 is open at the bottomand l have movided a movable closure therefor in the term of a swinginggate 81, which is pivoted at 82 to an arm 83 extending from the housing4:8. When the gate is in the dotted line position Fig. 9 it closes theopen end of the chamber 54. and thus prevents the entrance oi dirtthereinto.

It it is desired to gain access to thememher 7 then the gate may beswung into the :full line position Fig. 9 thus opening the lower end ofthe chamber. Said gateis pro vided' with a thumb piece Set by which itmay be operated.

If desired I may support a mirror 85 on the post 73 beneath the loweropen end of the housing so that when the gate 81. is opened it will beeasy to observe the operation of the needle 7.

In practice the operating mechanisn'i will This is accon'iplished bylllfi llll eanna. 1

be enclosed in a suitable housing 86 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4:and in Fig. 3 thereby to give protection to the moving parts.

While I have illustrated herein a selected embodiment of my invention Ido not Wish to be limited to the constructional features shown asvarious changes in the construction of the device may be made withoutdeparting from the invention.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a magnet anda norma1lyopen circuit therefor, of a circuit-closing device in thecircuit comprising a magneticallysensitive member responsive to themagnetic attraction exerted on it by a passing body, and anelectromagnet for holding said member in suspended position, said memberwhen so attracted operating to close the circuit.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with anelectromagnet having a pole piece, of an actuating magnet, anorlIlitllY-OPBII circuit therefor, circuit-closing means in saidcircuit comprising a magnetically-sensitive member suspended from saidpole piece and responsive to the magnetic attraction of a passing body,and when so attracted operating to close the circuit.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with anelectromagnet having a pole piece, of an actuating magnet and a circuittherefor, circuit-closing means in said circuit comprising amagneticallysensitive needle magnetically suspended from said pole pieceand responsive to the magnetic attraction of a passing trolley harp.

l. In a device of the class described, the combination with a magnet anda circuit therefor, 01 circuit-closing means in said circuit andcomprising two normallyseparated contacts, one of which is magneticallysensitive and is adapted to be moved into engagement with the other bythe magnetic attraction of a passing body, and means ac tuated by saidmagnet to restore said contacts to their separated position.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with. a magnetand a circuit therefor, of a trolleycontrollcd circuit-closing devicecomprising two i'iormally-scparated contacts, one of which ismagnetically sensitive and is adapted to be moved into engagement withthe other by the magnetic attraction oi a passing trolley harp, a pivoted restoring member for restoring the con tacts to their separatedposition, and means to actuate said member by the magnet.

(i. In a device of the class described, the combination with a trolleywire, an electromagnet having a pole piece, a housing of non-magneticmaterial secured to the pole piece, a pin oi magnetic material engagingthe pole piece and extending into the upper end of the housing, a1nagnetically-sensitivc needle within the housing and suspended fromsaid pin, said needle being electrically connected to the trolley Wire,and an insulated contact in the lower end of the housing electricallyconnected to said magnet, said needle being magnetically responsive to apassing trolley harp and magnetically moved thereby into engagement withthe fixed contact thereby to close the circuit through the magnet.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with a trolleywire, an electromagnet having a pole piece, a housing of non-magneticmaterial secured to the pole pi ce, a pin of magnetic material engagingthe pole plece and extending into the upper end of the housing, amagneticallysensitive needle within the housing and suspended from saidpin, said needle being electrically connected to the trolley Wire, aninsulated contact in the lower end of the housing electrically connectedto said magnet, said needle being magnetically responsive to a passingtrolley harp and magnetically moved thereby into engagement with thefixed contact thereby to close the circuit through the magnet, and meansactuated by the magnet to restore the magnetically-sensitive needle toits normal position.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination with an actuatingmagnet, of a pivoted armature therefor, a contact carried by thearmature, a pivoted springpressed arm carrying a co-operating contact,whereby when the magnet is energized the contacts are brought intoengagement and the arm is moved against the action of its spring, andmeans for retarding the movement of the armature in both direc tions.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

JOHN J. RUDDIIYGK.

